Chris Jones is in danger of missing the Kansas City Chiefs for the season opener against the Detroit Lions. In the ongoing contract poker, a holdout for the defensive star is looking increasingly likely.

The Kansas City Chiefs will face the Detroit Lions in the opener of the new season next Thursday. While preparations are in full swing for the reigning defending champions ahead of kickoff, one personnel matter continues to cause headaches.

Defensive lineman Chris Jones has been on strike for months and did not attend training camp in the poker over a new contract. As things stand, a holdout at the start of the season is looking increasingly likely.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reports the 29-year-old will also not take part in Sunday’s Game Week kickoff practice as the two sides continue to disagree on a deal.

The defensive cornerstone was placed on the Reserve/Did Not Report list early last week. Slowly but surely, time is running out before the Season Kickoff.

Holdout on Jones: Coach Reid diplomatic, GM Veach remains optimistic

Are negotiations between the franchise and the player at a standstill? Head coach Andy Reid succinctly described the tricky situation, according to Rapoport, saying, “I don’t know when he’s coming or not coming.”

General manager Brett Veach, meanwhile, had remained optimistic to reporters this week, stressing that the team had been in increased contact with Jones in recent days and remained hopeful that he would return in time for week one.

“We just continue to work on this thing. We’re looking forward to next Thursday and hopefully he’ll be in the line-up and ready to go,” the 45-year-old said.

“He’s a great player and he wants a big contract,” Veach is further quoted as saying by the Kansas City Star: “He deserves a big contract and I don’t think there are any surprises in that regard.”

Veach made it clear that the Chiefs still plan to be firm with their star: “There are just some hurdles that we have to overcome to keep this thing going in the short and long term. We’ve never stopped saying, ‘He’s a guy we want to do everything we can to keep,’ because that’s how much we think of him. “

Chris Jones: contract in spheres of Aaron Donald?

Jones is entering the final year of his four-year, $80 million contract signed in July 2020, while still collecting $19.5 million in 2023, according to “Spotrac”. However, the player continues to insist on his early payday and is likely demanding a salary in the realms of the top earner at his position: Aaron Donald.

The Los Angeles Rams star collects an average annual salary of 31.7 million dollars. By comparison, no other player at the defensive tackle position earns more than $24 million per season.

According to “ProFootballTalk,” Kansas City has offered Jones a three-year, $74 million contract, $70 million of which would also be guaranteed in the event of an injury, while the tackle, however, is said to be seeking three years and $84.5 million.

The report also roughly coincides with figures from The Athletic and Sports Illustrated, which had previously reported that Jones is expected to seek $30 million annually.

The 2016 second-round pick has posted the fourth-most sacks in the NFL over the past five seasons at 56.5 and is a four-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler.

Last season, Jones finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting after setting career bests with 29 quarterback hits and 15.5 sacks each.

Travis Kelce implores Jones’ for return

Not only do franchise officials continue to hang in the balance in the contract posse, but Jones’ teammates are visibly taking the ongoing holdout with them.

Star tight end Travis Kelce pleaded with his brother and Eagles centre Jason on the joint “New Heights” podcast a few days ago for Jones to return to the team because “we need you”.

“Oh man, Chris, can you please come back? You’re really scaring me, man. I don’t get it. You must know something I don’t know because I just don’t get it. I really want another Super Bowl ring with you, bro,” the 33-year-old literally pleaded with his teammate.

Kelce made clear his discomfort with the situation just before the season starts, “I’m asking you to come back and play football for the Chiefs. Please, we need you. We need you badly. But I don’t know what the situation really is.”

Kelce trembles, the officials hope. But the clock is ticking louder and louder until kickoff.